A federal judge has ruled that the sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by Megan Thee Stallion’s former cameraman, Emelio Garcia, will move forward in court.
U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods concluded that Garcia had presented sufficient evidence to support claims of a hostile work environment, allegedly tied to his sexual orientation. The lawsuit, originally filed in April 2023, outlines a series of alleged incidents that Garcia says occurred while he worked with Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete.
Garcia, who is openly gay, alleges that he was repeatedly mistreated during his time with Megan Thee Stallion’s team. One key incident cited in the lawsuit occurred in Ibiza in 2022, where the rapper allegedly engaged in a sex act with another woman in a car while Garcia was present.
Judge Woods noted in his ruling that Garcia “plausibly pleads that the alleged sexual encounter in the SUV in Ibiza created a hostile work environment based on the plaintiff’s sexual orientation.”
In addition to that incident, Garcia claims the Mamushi artist attempted to assault him with a remote and made demeaning remarks about his appearance. He asserts that these actions were intentionally directed at him due to his sexuality.
Garcia also alleges that after he raised concerns about the inappropriate behavior, he experienced retaliation, including reduced hours, diminished pay, and ultimately, termination. The lawsuit further claims he was “blackballed” from future industry work, severely impacting his professional prospects.
The judge’s decision to allow the case to proceed marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle, and all eyes will now be on how Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team responds as the case unfolds in federal court.
